Written By : Ronn Torossian
November 15, 2012

A recent survey by the Chronicle of Philanthropy showed that Republicans and right-wingers are much more likely to give charity than liberals – and it’s not at all surprising. As a self-made entrepreneur, I give charity and nearly every self-made entrepreneur I know gives considerably. People who work hard give and understand the importance of giving – but don’t they have the right to give as they see fit?

Alan Wolfe, a political science professor at Boston College was quoted in the Associated Press that liberals give by “paying higher taxes”, and thereby funding government programs. He said they “view the tax money they’re paying not as something that’s forced upon them, but as a recognition that they belong with everyone else, that they’re citizens in the common good.” Excuse me – but why is the government in my pocket don’t I have the right to decide where to give?

Not fair, not right, and decidedly un-American. According to philanthropy.com, Utah tops the list of giving, with residents donating 10.2 percent of their discretionary income to charities. Utah is a solidly red state, and blue state New Hampshire’s residents give only 2.5 percent of their discretionary income to philanthropic organizations.

There are many different causes people give to – whether health, religious, educational, or organizations involved with Quadriga Art – but whatever they are, I believe people have the right to choose whatever charity they want to give to, and not have it forced upon them.

Unsurprisingly, leading addiction recovery center Morningside Recovery has started a special counseling group to help people deal with social media addiction. In today’s world people find it easier to deal with abstract far-away people rather than those in front of them.

America should be about free choice and free enterprise – not having choices forced upon us.

Ronn Torossian is an entrepreneur, philanthropist and author.

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